Since They Brought It Up: Who Needs To Check Their Privilege?

I’ve been called all sorts of names. Being White, I’ve been called a Cracker, Honky, and Whitey, and had my life threatened to my face by individuals of various non-white races. I’ve had Kike and Hymie hurled at me, and told I was a greedy bastard based solely on my Jewish heritage. And as a Christian, I’ve been called a Jesus-Freak, a Bible-Thumper, and several horrible things I won’t lower myself to repeat.

My wife and her family have been called Spicks and wet-backs – even though they happen to be from Brazil, and they are here legally as naturalized citizens! And my son – who is as Western European looking as they come – has been at the very least labeled a WASP, which I suppose is true, but I don’t think it was meant in a nice way.

And now, because of the color of my skin, I’ve been called privileged! Well, I do suppose I’ve had some privileges… My father busted his butt to put a roof over my head and food on the table – I certainly didn’t work for that, except through the chores that I did as part of my family responsibility. His efforts did yield us new clothes, some toys, and the occasional vacation. And my children have certainly been privileged as my wife and I bust our butts to provide a good life for them.

But I don’t think I’m being called “privileged” as a compliment to my parents’ efforts. No, I’m pretty sure people are saying that I have things that have not been earned, and all because of the color of my skin.

Allow me to correct that falsehood with a clear “Bullshit!” I have never been given anything I didn’t earn (except for my salvation through Jesus Christ, given freely by His sacrifice and accepted purely as a gift). And I have often been given less than I deserved for my efforts.

But allow me to also put a historical “Bullshit” into play.

You see, Blacks in America say they are downtrodden and discriminated against because of the color of their skin… Because people of their race were once slaves here in America.

Well, let me drop some knowledge on you: every race has been enslaved at some point in history. And every race has owned slaves at some time since the beginning of time too.
Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Europeans, Romans, Greeks, Hebrews, American Indians…

Nobody has a single claim on being a victim. And nobody has a single claim on being an abuser. Oppression is not the purview of any one race.

But Barack Obama would have you believe that Black people are special. And Jesse Jackson would tell you that Blacks need special privileges to make up for their ancestral history as slaves. Eric Holder uses his position to coerce people and agencies to treat Blacks a certain way. Al Sharpton is just a hater, and the NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus are just robber barons.

So let me make this clear: I will not be hurt by the names you call me. And I will endeavor never to call somebody a name based on race.

But listen Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Whites, American Indians, and all the rest of you: you have no privileges coming because of your race, creed, or religion. In America, the model is to work for what you get. Stop whining. Stop complaining. The days of oppression and slavery in America are over — and with them the days of privilege.

Are there individuals who are racist? Sure! Nobody can ever say that individual racism is completely dead.

But institutional racism? That’s just a construct kept alive by people who profit off of the confusion, anger, and distraction that claiming it exists causes.

Whites are no more racist as a group than Blacks. All Hispanics do not hate all Asians. And believe it or not, not all Muslims hate Christians.

And as for politics… Republicans are no more racist as a group than Democrats (though I do believe that given the evidence, Progressive leaders will often use race to their nefarious ends). The GOP appears to be mostly white demographically, but that is because Democrats have used racism and division to their advantage for the past several decades (thanks to the Liar’s Game played by Lyndon Baines Johnson – a true racist in word and deed). Conservatives welcome and want all people to succeed through their efforts no matter what their heritage is. And I believe Liberals at large do too, despite the demographic vote mongering of their political leaders.

You want me to check my privilege at the door? I don’t have any privilege and make no claims to any. But maybe you need to check your privilege before you leave your own house. Because Homie don’t play that.

Jerry Novick lives in a Liberal-Progressive, high-tax Blue State where he dreams of the day when his hard work and judicious savings program allows him and his family to head off to more Conservative climes. Jerry’s resume as a professional writer spans nearly 30 years and pretty much every genre and form you can think of. When not contributing to ClashDaily, he writes political commentary at TheWriteAmerica.com.

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